Lid for wet/dry vacuum cleaner with integrated hose retainer

ABSTRACT

A vacuum cleaner includes a canister, a vacuum hose, a motor, an impeller, and a one piece lid. The canister defines a debris chamber and has a top. The impeller is connected to the motor and is operable to generate air flow upon operation of the motor. The one piece lid includes a hose retainer and is mounted to the top of the canister. The hose retainer includes at least two retaining tabs spaced from a central portion of the lid to define an insertion opening. The retaining tabs deflect away from a retention position in a first direction to an open position when the vacuum hose is inserted through the insertion opening. The retaining tabs are biased in a second direction towards the retention position such that the retaining tabs exert a positive retention force on the vacuum hose when positioned within the hose retainer.

FIELD

The field of the disclosure relates generally to vacuum cleaners and,more particularly, to vacuum cleaner lids including an integrated hoseretainer.

BACKGROUND

Some vacuum appliances, in particular vacuum cleaners, includelid-mounted motors that facilitate the movement of air using a motor andan impeller connected to the motor. Some vacuum cleaners also includehoses to facilitate collection of debris or liquids and hose storagesystems to facilitate storage of the hose. Typical hose storage systemsinclude a retention device configured to retain the hose within the hosestorage system. However, at least some known retention devices looselyretain the hose within the hose storage system because the retentiondevice does not exert a positive retention force on the hose.

Additionally, some hose storage systems require assembly by themanufacturer or the customer. Typically, the manufacturer or thecustomer assembles the hose storage system by fastening the retentiondevice to a portion of the vacuum. However, the fit of the hose withinthe retention device and/or the hose storage system can vary based onmanufacturing tolerances of the components and in the assembly process.Also, some customer assembled hose storage systems require the customerto install the retention device with screws that fasten the retentiondevice to the vacuum cleaner. If the customer installs incorrectly, thescrews might puncture the vacuum cleaner. A more reliable and more costeffective hose storage system is needed.

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects ofart that may be related to various aspects of the disclosure, which aredescribed and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to behelpful in providing the reader with background information tofacilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statementsare to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a vacuum cleaner includes a canister, a vacuum hose, amotor, an impeller, and a one piece lid. The canister defines a debrischamber and has a top. The vacuum hose is fluidly connected to thedebris chamber and has a vacuum hose diameter. The impeller is connectedto the motor and is operable to generate air flow upon operation of themotor. The one piece lid includes a hose retainer and is mounted to thetop of the canister. The hose retainer includes at least two retainingtabs spaced from a central portion of the lid to define an insertionopening. The retaining tabs deflect away from a retention position in afirst direction to an open position when the vacuum hose is insertedthrough the insertion opening. The retaining tabs are biased in a seconddirection towards the retention position such that the retaining tabsexert a positive retention force on the vacuum hose when positionedwithin the hose retainer.

In another aspect, a hose storage system for storage of a vacuum hosefor a vacuum cleaner includes a hose retainer attached to a portion ofthe vacuum cleaner. The hose retainer and the portion of the vacuumcleaner are a one piece portion of the vacuum cleaner. The hose retainerincludes at least two retaining tabs spaced from a central portion ofthe lid to define an insertion opening. The retaining tabs deflect awayfrom a retention position in a first direction to an open position whenthe vacuum hose is inserted through the insertion opening. The retainingtabs are biased in a second direction towards the retention positionsuch that the retaining tabs exert a positive retention force on thevacuum hose when positioned within the hose retainer.

In yet another aspect, a lid for a vacuum cleaner includes attached tothe lid. The hose retainer and the lid are a one piece lid. The hoseretainer includes at least two retaining tabs spaced from a centralportion of the lid to define an insertion opening. The retaining tabsdeflect away from a retention position in a first direction to an openposition when a vacuum hose is inserted through the insertion opening.The retaining tabs are biased in a second direction towards theretention position such that the retaining tabs exert a positiveretention force on the vacuum hose when positioned within the hoseretainer.

Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to theabove-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure. Further features mayalso be incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects of the presentdisclosure as well. These refinements and additional features may existindividually or in any combination. For instance, various featuresdiscussed below in relation to any of the illustrated embodiments of thepresent disclosure may be incorporated into any of the above-describedaspects of the present disclosure, alone or in any combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1, with a powerhead removed from the vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lid suitable for use with the vacuumcleaner shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the lid of shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the lid shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a portion of the lid shown in FIG. 3 showing ahose retainer.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a portion of the lid shown in FIG. 3 showing thehose retainer.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the hose retainer shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a top sectional view of the hose retainer shown in FIG. 7.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example vacuum cleaner 100. In theillustrated embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a collectiondrum or canister 102 defining an inlet 104, caster feet and casters 106mounted on a bottom end 108 of the canister 102, a lid 110 removablymounted to a top end 112 of the canister 102, and a power head 114removably mounted to a top end 116 of the lid 110. The lid 110 isremovably attached (e.g., via a hinge mechanism or latches 118 a and 118b) to the canister 102 so that the lid 110 can be readily removed so asto empty debris or liquids contained within the canister 102.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of vacuum cleaner 100 with the power head114 detached from the lid 110. The power head 114 includes a housing 120and a motor and a fan or impeller (collectively referred to as animpeller assembly, not shown) located within the housing 120. Theimpeller assembly is operable to generate airflow through the canister102 from the inlet 104 to an outlet (not shown) so as to draw soliddebris, liquid, or both into a debris chamber (not shown) defined by thecanister 102. In the example embodiment, the inlet 104 is defined by thecanister 102, and the outlet is defined by the power head 114. In otherembodiments, the inlet 104 and the outlet may be defined by any suitableportion of the vacuum cleaner 100 that enables the vacuum cleaner 100 tofunction as described herein. In some embodiments, for example, theinlet 104 may be defined by the power head 114.

In the illustrated embodiment, the power head 114 is detachable from thelid 110 and the vacuum cleaner 100 to facilitate use of the power head114 apart from the vacuum cleaner 100. For example, the power head 114may be detached from the vacuum cleaner 100 and used as a blower orother suction unit. In alternative embodiments, the power head 114 maynot be detachable from the lid 110 or the vacuum cleaner 100. Rather,the power head 114 may be integrally formed with the lid 110 and/or thevacuum cleaner 100.

Although the vacuum cleaner 100 is shown and described with reference toa wet/dry vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner 100 and features thereofmay be embodied in vacuum cleaners other than wet/dry vacuum cleanersincluding, for example and without limitation, canister vacuum cleaners,backpack vacuum cleaners, and upright vacuum cleaners.

The vacuum cleaner 100 includes a vacuum cleaner hose 122 and aplurality of vacuum cleaner accessories 124. As used herein, the term“vacuum cleaner hose” or “hose” refers to a component of a vacuumcleaner that is connected, directly or indirectly, to a vacuum cleanerinlet port or outlet port to direct airflow or suction generated by thevacuum cleaner. Examples of vacuum cleaner hoses and accessories mayinclude, for example and without limitation, vacuum hoses, vacuumconduits, vacuum wands or tubes, and surface cleaning tools. In theillustrated embodiment, a proximal end 126 of the vacuum cleaner hose122 is extends from the inlet 104 and permits fluid communicationbetween a surface to be cleaned and the vacuum cleaner 100.Additionally, one or more vacuum cleaner accessories 124 may extend froma distal end 128 of the vacuum cleaner hose 122 and permit fluidcommunication between the surface to be cleaned and the vacuum cleanerhose 122 and/or the vacuum cleaner 100. The vacuum cleaner hose 122includes a hose diameter 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the hosediameter 130 is about 2.392 inches to about 2.408 inches. In alternativeembodiments, the hose diameter 130 may be any length that enables thevacuum cleaner 100 to operate as described herein.

As shown in FIG. 2, the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a hose storagesystem 131. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the lid 110includes at least one hose retainer 132 to facilitate retention andstorage of the vacuum cleaner hose 122 when the vacuum cleaner 100 isnot in use. The hose retainer 132 is integrally formed with the lid 110and is positioned on the lid 110 such that the vacuum cleaner hose 122is wound around the power head 114 when in a stored configuration. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the hose retainer 132 is positioned on anouter circumference 134 of the lid 110 such that the hose retainer 132exerts an inward positive retention force on the vacuum cleaner hose 122that maintains the vacuum cleaner hose 122 in a stored configuration. Inalternative embodiments, the hose storage system 131 and the hoseretainer 132 may be positioned on other parts of the vacuum cleaner 100,including and without limitation, the canister 102 and/or the power head114. The hose storage system 131 and the hose retainer 132 may bepositioned on any part of the vacuum cleaner 100 that enables the vacuumcleaner 100 to store the vacuum cleaner hose 122 when it is not in use.Additionally, the hose storage system 131 and the hose retainer 132 andfeatures thereof may be embodied in vacuum cleaners other than wet/dryvacuum cleaners including, for example and without limitation, canistervacuum cleaners, backpack vacuum cleaners, and upright vacuum cleaners.In the illustrated embodiment, the lid 110 and the hose storage system131 include a single hose retainer 132. In alternative embodiments, thelid 110 and/or the hose storage system 131 include any number of hoseretainers 132 that enable the vacuum cleaner 100 to operate as describedherein, including and without limitation, two, three, four, or more hoseretainers 132.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lid 110. FIG. 4 is a top view of thelid 110. FIG. 5 is a side view of the lid 110. As shown in FIGS. 3-5,the lid 110 has a substantially circular, disc shape with the hingemechanisms or latches 118 a and 118 b positioned on opposite sides ofthe lid 110. The lid 110 also includes an integrally formed power headreceiver 136 to facilitate receipt of the power head 114 onto the lid110. The power head receiver 136 includes a power head retention device138, a power head pin retainer 140, a power head chamber 142, a suctionhole 144, and a power head platform 146. In the illustrated embodiment,the power head platform 146 is a generally circular or oval shapedplatform configured to support the power head 114 when it is insertedinto the power head receiver 136. The power head platform 146circumscribes the power head chamber 142. The power head chamber 142 isconfigured to receive at least a portion of the power head 114 anddefines the suction hole 144 in a bottom portion 148 of the power headchamber 142. The suction hole 144 permits fluid communication betweenthe power head 114 and the canister 102 and the inlet 104. The powerhead chamber 142 and the power head platform 146 form a seal around thepower head 114 such that the power head 114 generates a suction forcewithin the canister 102, the inlet 104, and the vacuum cleaner hose 122.

The power head retention device 138 and the power head pin retainer 140extend from the power head platform 146 and are positioned on oppositesides of the power head platform 146. In the illustrated embodiment, thepower head retention device 138 includes a latch. In alternativeembodiments, the power head retention device 138 includes any devicethat facilitates retaining the power head 114 on the lid 110. The powerhead pin retainer 140 includes two pin receiving holes 150 configured toreceive and retain a plurality of pins (not shown) on the power head114. The power head 114 includes a latching pin (not shown) with a shapecomplementary to the power head retention device 138. In order to insertthe power head 114 onto the lid 110, the pins on the power head 114 areinserted into the pin receiving holes 150 and the power head 114 isrotated such that the latching pin on the power head 114 is insertedinto the power head pin retainer 140. The power head pin retainer 140 isthen latched onto the latching pin on the power head 114, securing thepower head 114 to the lid 110.

An integrally formed lid disc 152 extends from the power head platform146. The lid disc 152 includes an inner diameter 154 coupled to thepower head platform 146 and an outer diameter 156. The hinge mechanismsor latches 118 a and 118 b and the hose retainer 132 are coupled to theouter diameter 156 and positioned around the outer diameter 156. A hoseretention track 158 is a generally circular track circumscribing thepower head platform 146 and configured to retain and store the vacuumcleaner hose 122. The hose retention track 158 includes an inner trackdiameter 160 and an outer track diameter 162. The inner track diameter160 is defined by the power head platform 146, the power head retentiondevice 138, and the power head pin retainer 140. The outer trackdiameter 162 is defined by the hinge mechanisms or latches 118 a and 118b, the hose retainer 132, and the outer diameter 156 of the lid disc152. The lid disc 152 supports the vacuum cleaner hose 122 when it isstored in the hose retention track 158. As such, the hose storage system131 includes the hose retainer 132, the power head pin retainer 140, thepower head platform 146, the hinge mechanisms or latches 118 a and 118b, and lid disc 152, all of which facilitate storage and retention ofthe vacuum cleaner hose 122 when it is stored in the hose storage system131.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the hose retainer 132. FIG. 7 is a top view ofthe hose retainer 132. As shown in FIGS. 6-7, the hose retainer 132 andthe power head pin retainer 140 define a hose retention area 164configured to receive and retain the vacuum cleaner hose 122.Specifically, the power head pin retainer 140 extends from the powerhead platform 146 and the hose retainer 132 extends from the lid disc152, spaced from a central portion 165 of the lid 110, to form the hoseretention area 164. The hose retainer 132 includes at least oneretaining tab support prong 166 and at least two retaining tabs 168. Theretaining tabs 168 and the power head pin retainer 140 define aninsertion opening 169 configured to receive the vacuum cleaner hose 122.In the illustrated embodiment, the hose retainer 132 includes threeretaining tab support prongs 166 and two retaining tabs 168. Inalternative embodiments, the hose retainer 132 may include any number ofretaining tab support prongs 166 and retaining tabs 168 that enable thevacuum cleaner 100 to operate as described herein.

The retaining tabs 168 and the retain tab support prongs 166 areconfigured to exert a positive retention force on the vacuum cleanerhose 122 when it positioned within the hose retainer 132. Specifically,the retaining tabs 168 are configured to deflect away from a retentionposition to an open position upon insertion of the vacuum cleaner hose122 through the insertion opening 169. The retention position is theconfiguration shown in FIGS. 1-9. The retaining tabs 168 are biasedtowards the retention position such that the retaining tabs 168 exertthe positive retention force on the vacuum cleaner hose 122 when ispositioned within the hose retainer 132. Specifically, the geometry ofthe hose retainer 132 relative to the vacuum cleaner hose 122 enable thehose retainer 132 to exert the positive retention force on the vacuumcleaner hose 122.

In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining tab support prongs 166extend from the lid disc 152 and the retaining tabs 168 extend from theretaining tab support prongs 166. The retaining tab support prongs 166are spaced apart from each other and define two prong holes 170therebetween. The prong holes 170 enable the retaining tabs 168 to bemolded and integrally formed with the lid 110 during the manufacturingprocess. Specifically, the prong holes 170 are positioned relative tothe retaining tabs 168 and the retaining tab support prongs 166 suchthat the retaining tabs 168 may be manufactured in an injection moldwith a single direction of motion. In the illustrated embodiment, theretaining tab support prongs 166 and the retaining tabs 168 have anarcuate or curved shape commentary to a cylindrical shape of the vacuumcleaner hose 122 such that an overall shape of the hose retainer 132 iscomplementary to the cylindrical shape of the vacuum cleaner hose 122.

In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining tab support prongs 166extend from the lid disc 152 in a direction 174 substantially parallelto a plane of the lid disc 152. The retaining tabs 168 extend from theretaining tab support prongs 166 in a direction 176 substantiallyperpendicular the plane of the lid disc 152. The retaining tabs 168include a vertical portion 178 and a curved portion 180. The verticalportion 178 extends from the retaining tab support prongs 166 and thecurved portion 180 extends from the vertical portion 178.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of hose retainer 132 taken alongsectional line 8-8. The curved portion 180 is attached to the verticalportion 178 at a curved-vertical portion interface 182 and extends to acurved portion tip 184. The curved portion 180 defines a curved portionradius 186, an insertion angle 188, and a retaining angle 190. Thecurved portion radius 186 is defined by the curvature of the curvedportion 180 with a center 192 positioned within the hose retention area164. The retaining angle 190 is the angle between the curved portionradius 186 at the curved-vertical portion interface 182 and the curvedportion radius 186 at the curved portion tip 184. The insertion angle188 is the angle between the curved portion radius 186 at the curvedportion tip 184 and a horizontal line 194 extending from the curvedportion tip 184 toward the power head pin retainer 140 and parallel tothe curved portion radius 186 at the curved-vertical portion interface182. The hose retention area 164 defines an insertion width 196 betweenthe curved portion tip 184 and a retention portion 198 of the power headpin retainer 140.

During operations, vacuum cleaner hose 122 is inserted into the hoseretention area 164 for storage. The insertion angle 188 allows theretaining tabs 168 to flex outwards or in a direction 200 away from theretention position to the open position during the insertion process.The retaining tabs 168 are biased to the retention position and returnto the retention position after the vacuum cleaner hose 122 is insertedinto the hose retention area 164. In the illustrated embodiment, theinsertion angle 188 is about 185 degrees to about 195 degrees. Moreparticularly, the insertion angle 188 is about 190 degrees. If theinsertion angle 188 is greater than 195 degrees or less than 185degrees, the retaining tabs 168 may collapse inwards during theinsertion process.

In the illustrated embodiment, the insertion width 196 is about 78% toabout 82% of the hose diameter 130. The insertion width 196 dictates howfar the retaining tabs 168 will flex in the direction 200 during theinsertion process. If the insertion width 196 is less than about 78% ofthe hose diameter 130, the retaining tabs 168 will be subjected to highstress that can cause the retaining tabs 168 to deform or break duringthe insertion process. If the insertion width 196 is greater than about82% of the hose diameter 130, the retaining tabs 168 may not adequatelyretain the vacuum cleaner hose 122 within the hose retention area 164.

During operations, vacuum cleaner hose 122 is removed from the hoseretention area 164 for insertion into the inlet 104 and use to clean asurface to be cleaned. The retaining angle 190 dictates the extractionforce required to remove the vacuum cleaner hose 122 from the hoseretention area 164. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining angle190 is about 50 degrees to about 60 degrees. More particularly, theretaining angle 190 is about 55 degrees. If the retaining angle 190 isless than about 50 degrees, the retaining tabs 168 may not adequatelyretain the vacuum cleaner hose 122 within the hose retention area 164.If the retaining angle 190 is greater than about 60 degrees, the forcenecessary to extract the vacuum cleaner hose 122 from the hose retentionarea 164 may be too high such that the vacuum cleaner 100 would need tobe held in place during the extraction process.

The curved portion radius 186 of this embodiment is a radius betweenabout 90% to about 95% of a radius of the vacuum cleaner hose 122 (halfof the hose diameter 130). The retaining tabs 168 exert a constantcompression force on the vacuum cleaner hose 122 when the vacuum cleanerhose 122 is stored in the hose retention area 164 because the curvedportion radius 186 is smaller than the radius of the vacuum cleaner hose122. Accordingly, the constant compression force enhances the retentioncapability of the hose retainer 132.

FIG. 9 is a top sectional view of the hose retainer 132 taken alongsectional line 9-9. Each retaining tab 168 includes an outcrop 202extending along the retaining tab 168. The outcrop 202 includes two ribs204 and an outcrop connector 206 extending therebetween. The ribs 204extend from the retaining tab 168 away from the power head pin retainer140 such that a rib thickness 208 is double a thickness 210 of theretaining tab 168. The thicker ribs 204 add structural support to theretaining tab 168 and increases the retention force applied to thevacuum cleaner hose 122.

The hose retainers 132 described herein create a positive retentionforce on the vacuum cleaner hose 122. Specifically, the retaining angle190 causes the retaining tabs 168 to extend over the hose retention area164 creating a positive retention of the vacuum cleaner hose 122.Additionally, the curved portion radius 186 is smaller than the radiusof the vacuum cleaner hose 122 exerting a constant compression force onthe vacuum cleaner hose 122 when the vacuum cleaner hose 122 is storedin the hose retention area 164. As such, the vacuum cleaner hose 122 isretained in the hose retention area 164 by a combination of the constantcompression force and the positive retention force on the vacuum cleanerhose 122. Additionally, the insertion angle 188 and the insertion width196 are configured to allow the vacuum cleaner hose 122 to be insertedinto the hose retention area 164 without excessive stress and strain tothe retaining tabs 168. The ribs 204 provide structural support to theretaining tab 168 and increases the retention force applied to thevacuum cleaner hose 122.

Example embodiments of vacuum cleaning systems are described above indetail. The vacuum cleaning systems are not limited to the specificembodiments described herein, but rather, components of the vacuumcleaning systems may be used independently and separately from othercomponents described herein. For example, the hose retainer describedherein may be used with a variety of vacuum cleaning systems, includingand without limitation, vehicular vacuum cleaning systems, wet/dryvacuum cleaners, canister vacuum cleaners, upright vacuum cleaners, andbackpack vacuum cleaners.

Embodiments disclosed enable enhanced vacuum cleaner performance withoutrequiring significant or expensive modifications to other components ofa vacuum cleaner. Thus, the disclosed hose retainer may be readilyincorporated into existing vacuum cleaner designs. The hose retainersdescribed herein create a positive retention force on the vacuum cleanerhose. Specifically, a retaining angle causes retaining tabs of the hoseretainer to extend over a hose retention area creating a positiveretention force on the vacuum cleaner hose. Additionally, a curvedportion radius of a curved portion of the retaining tabs is smaller thana radius of the vacuum cleaner hose, exerting a constant compressionforce on the vacuum cleaner hose when the vacuum cleaner hose is storedin the hose retention area. As such, the vacuum cleaner hose is retainedin the hose retention area by a combination of the constant compressionforce and the positive retention force on the vacuum cleaner hose.Additionally, an insertion angle and an insertion width are configuredto allow the vacuum cleaner hose to be inserted into the hose retentionarea without excessive stress and strain to the retaining tabs. The ribsformed within the retaining tabs provide structural support and increasethe retention force applied to the vacuum cleaner hose.

As used herein, the terms “about,” “substantially,” “essentially” and“approximately” when used in conjunction with ranges of dimensions,concentrations, temperatures or other physical or chemical properties orcharacteristics is meant to cover variations that may exist in the upperand/or lower limits of the ranges of the properties or characteristics,including, for example, variations resulting from rounding, measurementmethodology or other statistical variation.

When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s)thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to meanthat there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,”“including,” “containing” and “having” are intended to be inclusive andmean that there may be additional elements other than the listedelements. The use of terms indicating a particular orientation (e.g.,“top”, “bottom”, “side”, etc.) is for convenience of description anddoes not require any particular orientation of the item described.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methodswithout departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended thatall matter contained in the above description and shown in theaccompanying drawing[s] shall be interpreted as illustrative and not ina limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a canister defininga debris chamber and having a top; a vacuum hose fluidly connected tothe debris chamber, the vacuum hose has a vacuum hose diameter; a motor;an impeller connected to the motor, the impeller operable to generateair flow upon operation of the motor; and a one piece lid including ahose retainer, the lid mounted to the top of the canister; wherein thehose retainer includes at least two retaining tabs spaced from a centralportion of the lid to define an insertion opening, the retaining tabsdeflect away from a retention position in a first direction to an openposition when the vacuum hose is inserted through the insertion opening;wherein the retaining tabs are biased in a second direction towards theretention position such that the retaining tabs exert a positiveretention force on the vacuum hose when positioned within the hoseretainer.
 2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the insertionopening has an insertion opening width, the insertion opening width isabout 78% to about 82% of a diameter of the vacuum hose.
 3. The vacuumcleaner of claim 1, wherein the retaining tabs each include a verticalportion and a curved portion extending from the vertical portion, thecurved portion defines a curved portion radius.
 4. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 3, wherein the curved portion radius is about 90% to about 95% ofa radius of the vacuum hose.
 5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, whereinthe curved portion extends from a curved-vertical portion interface to acurved portion tip, the curved portion tip extends over a hose retentionarea defined by the hose retainer and the central portion of the moldedlid, the curved portion tip defining an insertion angle configured toexert the positive retention force on the vacuum hose when positionedwithin the hose retainer.
 6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 5, wherein theinsertion angle is about 185 degrees to about 195 degrees.
 7. The vacuumcleaner of claim 3, wherein the curved portion extends from acurved-vertical portion interface to a curved portion tip, a retentionangle is defined between the curved portion radius at thecurved-vertical portion interface and the curved portion radius at thecurved portion tip.
 8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein theretention angle is about 50 degrees to about 60 degrees.
 9. A hosestorage system for storage of a vacuum hose for a vacuum cleaner, thehose storage system comprising: a hose retainer attached to a portion ofthe vacuum cleaner, the hose retainer and the portion of the vacuumcleaner are a one piece portion of the vacuum cleaner; wherein the hoseretainer includes at least two retaining tabs spaced from a centralportion of the lid to define an insertion opening, the retaining tabsdeflect away from a retention position in a first direction to an openposition when the vacuum hose is inserted through the insertion opening;wherein the retaining tabs are biased in a second direction towards theretention position such that the retaining tabs exert a positiveretention force on the vacuum hose when positioned within the hoseretainer.
 10. The hose storage system of claim 9, wherein the insertionopening has an insertion opening width, the insertion opening width isabout 78% to about 82% of a diameter of the vacuum hose.
 11. The hosestorage system of claim 9, wherein the retaining tabs each include avertical portion and a curved portion extending from the verticalportion, the curved portion defines a curved portion radius.
 12. Thehose storage system of claim 11, wherein the curved portion radius isabout 90% to about 95% of a radius of the vacuum hose.
 13. The hosestorage system of claim 11, wherein the curved portion extends from acurved-vertical portion interface to a curved portion tip, the curvedportion tip extends over a hose retention area defined by the hoseretainer and the portion of the vacuum cleaner, the curved portion tipdefining an insertion angle configured to exert the positive retentionforce on the vacuum hose when positioned within the hose retainer. 14.The hose storage system of claim 13, wherein the insertion angle isabout 185 degrees to about 195 degrees.
 15. The hose storage system ofclaim 11, wherein the curved portion extends from a curved-verticalportion interface to a curved portion tip, a retention angle is definedbetween the curved portion radius at the curved-vertical portioninterface and the curved portion radius at the curved portion tip. 16.The hose storage system of claim 15, wherein the retention angle isabout 50 degrees to about 60 degrees.
 17. A lid for a vacuum cleaner,the lid comprising: a hose retainer attached to the lid, the hoseretainer and the lid are a one piece lid; wherein the hose retainerincludes at least two retaining tabs spaced from a central portion ofthe lid to define an insertion opening, the retaining tabs deflect awayfrom a retention position in a first direction to an open position whena vacuum hose is inserted through the insertion opening; wherein theretaining tabs are biased in a second direction towards the retentionposition such that the retaining tabs exert a positive retention forceon the vacuum hose when positioned within the hose retainer.
 18. The lidof claim 17, wherein the insertion opening has an insertion openingwidth, the insertion opening width is about 78% to about 82% of adiameter of the vacuum hose.
 19. The lid of claim 17, wherein theretaining tabs each include a vertical portion and a curved portionextending from the vertical portion, the curved portion defines a curvedportion radius.
 20. The lid of claim 19, wherein the curved portionradius is about 90% to about 95% of a radius of the vacuum hose.